MARY ROY (NAKONASKI)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MARY ROY (NAKONASKI) On October 2, 2009 at Portage District General Hospital after a long struggle with heart disease, our mother Mary Roy slipped away and we became orphans. Mom was born on May 6, 1916 to Metro and Johanna Nakonaski in Fort William, Ontario (Thunder Bay). In 1937 she married Charles Roy and during their life together they raised a daughter and two sons. In 1952 Dad, serving in the RCAF, was transferred to Winnipeg. On his retirement in 1960, the family moved to Elie and opened Marchas Restaurant. (Well known in the area for tasty home cooked meals and the world's best burgers and fries). In 1986 they retired from the restaurant business, but Mom continued to use her culinary skills to provide many unforgettable meals for friends and family. She and Dad celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on February 8, 1987. In 1993 Dad died suddenly, bringing a big change to Mom's life. Because of an earlier massive heart attack Mom was left with a damaged heart, which over time progressed to heart failure. She also suffered from severe arthritis which slowly curtailed her activities. She maintained her independence, continuing to live in her own home till the age of 93. Over the last year, she slowly became house bound and because she was a devout Roman Catholic, not being able to go attend church was one of her biggest disappointments. She is survived by her daughter, Deanna Craig, and sons Dewey (Debbie) and Richard (Jean) Roy; grandchildren Charlene (Carlo) Gallo, Charlotte, Justin, and Whitney Roy; great-grandchildren, Ryan and Kathleen McKinnon. She is also survived by her sisters Olga Fuchuk and Stella Zatulsky and their families as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Charles, sisters Annie and Katherine, her mother and father-in-law, son-in-law Andrew and brothers-in-law Paul Fuchuk and Michael Zatulsky. Private family viewing will be held at Omega Funeral Home in Portage la Prairie and Funeral Services will take place Thursday, October 8 at 2:00 p.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Church in Elie. Interment of ashes will take place in Thunder Bay at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of MB or the Portage District General Hospital Foundation. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Parker for his care over the years (Mom thought you were the greatest), to the staff of the ICU, the Medical-Peads at Portage General Hospital and Mom's best friend Yvette Houde. A tribute DVD in memory of Mary will be produced by the Omega Funeral Home, condolences may be sent to the family care of Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Road South, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, R1N 1T8 or friends may leave a message of sympathy on our web site www.omegafuneralhome.com Dedicated to those we serve .

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 06, 2009